Tag Archives: impressionist

Things have been slow at my day job, so I’ve been on a tighter budget for the past few months. I got tipped off to a hell of an opportunity I just couldn’t pass up on though, so I headed north for the weekend to do some buying for the shop.

In small town USA lives a guy who’s mother did theatre costuming from the 1940s-1980s. When the threatre closed, she got to keep all 15,000+ costume pieces (talk about a perk!) She died a few years back, but he never held an estate sale. He just hung on to everything, and stashed it in a barn. Until recently, he had no clue there was a market for old clothes.

Eventually someone clued him in though, the word got out, and slowly but steadily pieces have been sold off. When I visited him this weekend, he said there were about 5,000 pieces left. Much of it I had to pass on due to condition issues, but there’s still plenty of very wearable stuff, mainly from the 50s and 70s. And while I won’t leak #’s, I will say this: I got a hell of a deal. I love when this happens, because then I can keep prices lower too : D.

Anyway… it was the shock of my life to come accross such an opportunity. Things like this used to be the norm in the vintage clothing industry, but nowadays most estates get raided by museums and upscale Hollywood shops long before the public is alerted. I was honestly shocked by how much was left. You’d think a big name dealer would’ve purchased the entire lot.

Because I made other purchases from thrift shops, I only had so much room in my car. But believe me, I’ll be back to this secret stash of hidden treasure!

Here are a few pieces from the haul:

Disco divinity! It’s no secret that I love 70s poly dresses like this. And I love the clothes Frederick’s of Hollywood used to make. Best of both worlds. The 2nd picture shows the true color better, which is a lavender.

50s and gathered and floral and full skirted. Oh my. Jewel tones are so underrated.

Have you ever seen a 50s dress where the beading is fringed like that? That was more common with 60s dresses, which makes this quite an oddity. Pretty carnation pink lace, with a full skirt and rhinestones, faux pearls, and bugle beads on the bust. Fun.

Colorful + 70s + cropped length = the perfect top for mixing with this springs trends. This one has also sold.

The touch, the feel, the fabric of our lives. Not cotton folks, rayon. Smooth, silky, cold to the touch 40s rayon. Totally luxe; nothing has been made like it since, making this a rare treat. I love the color scheme of this dress. Plus it’s shirred shoulders and lil’ bows.

Obsessed. Vintage Bali crochet stuff is killer! Plus the embroidery and scalloped hems on this piece are pretty sweet.

Serious ‘what the fuck’ moment, in a good way! 50s halter dress w/ a skirting overlayer made of asymmetrical fishnet mesh… which has a beige paint splatters all over it. If Lydia from Beetle Juice time traveled to the Eames era, she would’ve worn this.

Oooooh yeah. I dubbed this dress ‘la Parisienne’ because it reminds me of Miss Pandora, one of my favorite fashion bloggers. I could totally see her in this, rocking some black Louboutin heels so the soles would match the print!

Amazing 60s party dress in a quilted rose print, with an empire waist and fringed hem. I’ll probably end up kicking myself for letting this go.

I can’t help but wonder who the actresses were that wore these, and what plays they were used in. Gigi? South Pacific?

There’s much more on the way of course. Just wait, honey child.

Hope you all had wonderful weekends and Valentine’s Days! I’m so glad fashion week is going on. I can’t wait to see what the fall trends will be.

Count Ferdinando Sarmi hailed from an aristocratic Italian family and studied to become a lawyer, as his family had wished. Much to his fathers disappointment however, he abandoned the profession soon after to pursue his passion for fashion design. And thank goodness he did.

After costuming a few Italian films, Sarmi headed for New York; and from 1951-59 he was Elizabeth Arden’s head designer. His elegant evening attire wowed clients such as celebrities, socialites, and first ladies (Pat Nixon was a loyal customer). “Every woman with $600.00 to spend wants to own a Sarmi.” he famously once said.

In 1959 Sarmi opened his own fashion house, which specialized in ladies evening attire. Just one year later he received a Coty award. Renown for it’s haute couture and high end ready to wear; Sarmi gowns costed as much as $4,500, and were known for floral prints and lavish trims such as Ostrich down and cellophane lace.

Despite the decadent detailing, Sarmi stuck to classic silhouettes which are as appropriate for today as they were back then. Goldmine Trash is pleased to offer this Sarmi in pristine condition for a mere $374.99, a fraction of what it would’ve originally cost (usually it’s the other way around with vintage).

Made of silk, it features a an impressionist style ‘watercolor’ floral print in rich jewel tones, which flatter any skin tone. It has a sexy v neckline w/ tie accent, princess lined + darted bust, nipped in waist, semi full skirting, metal back zipper, and the designer Sarmi label. It’s fully lined with silk as well.

ABOUT A GIRL

Ramblin' woman with a heart of black gold. Treasure hunter/restless spirit residing in Texas. I sell vintage clothing to local boutiques, run EBay and Etsy shops, create vintage inspired goods, and take road trips weekly. I love to cook, am a firm believer in crystal healing and other holistic practices, and am on an endless quest for knowledge. Music, film, and art are very important to me.

This blog documents my various adventures and inspirations... when time permits.